Give big for a soon-to-be 40-year-old

If you know me, you may know I'm turning 40 this year. You may also know I'm a long-time volunteer for the brilliant education charity WORLDwrite. So for my 40th birthday, don't buy me a present - give it to WORLDwrite so that it can employ Hleb and Lada, who have sadly had to escape Ukraine - and will be staying with us. And if such a significant birthday and this great cause isn't enough, I'll also be shakin' my hips for four hours straight (trust me, it's a blessing it's not for longer) for WORLDwrite's Dancethon on 23 April.

We're hosting Hleb and Lada in the UK

Claire and I are really excited to be hosting Hleb and Lada at our flat very soon. I know Hleb from when we've both volunteered for Worldwrite when he was studying in the UK a few years back. He's life-loving, hard-working and passionate about standing up for what he believes in. Sadly he and his girlfriend Lada have had to escape Ukraine and are currently in Poland. This is after Hleb had to escape his native Belarus to Ukraine in 2020 when he was imprisoned for taking part in the pro-democracy demonstrations there. What an inspiration!

To make it as easy as possible for them to pick up their lives anew in the UK and make use of their many talents WORLDwrite is planning to employ them - but they need your help to do so. Can you give some money to their fundraising appeal? Anything raised up to £30k is going to be generously doubled, so please don't hold back!! I'll be dancing as well, but don't let that put you off...

The scholarship fund

This fund will provide paid internships for young people interested in developing film, tv and journalism skills. To start with my fundraising will help two young people Hleb & Vladlena come here from Ukraine and be supported to work with the charity. Sadhvi Sharma who died very young last year was herself an inspiration and you can read more about her and the fund on the charity's justgiving page. Meanwhile I do hope you will sponsor me and support my attempt to help this amazing charity. It's easy to do here and totally secure.